Search - Miles Davis :: Dig

Bebop, the Next Generation

G B | Connecticut | 05/21/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This album, recorded in October 1951, features some young musicians who made their names after Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie burst on the scene. These youngsters -- trumpeter Miles Davis, tenorist Sonny Rollins, and teenage altoist Jackie McLean -- would figure prominently in 50s bebop. Drummer Art Blakey was a bit older, but would leave his mark on jazz by leading some stellar hard bop bands in the next decade.Charlie Parker's shadow looms over this record. He was actually present at the recording. Both Davis and pianist Walter Bishop had played with Parker; McLean was, at this point in his career, a devout ornithologist; and Rollins would pick up the saxophone crown after Bird's death.The music is nice but doesn't present anything earthshattering. (I'm waffling between 3 and 4 stars.) There are some good tunes and the musicians get to stretch out. On the other hand, the horn players are a bit sloppy and the sound sucks.This isn't an essential recording. Few of the recordings Miles Davis made in the early 50s during his heroin addiction are classics. But if you have a substantial Davis collection this will fill in a gap. It also gives a portrait of two not-quite-fully-formed future stars (Jackie McLean and Sonny Rollins) as well as jazz in transition from bebop to the 50s hard bop style. You probably won't be disappointed if you pick it up."

Not too bad, not too good...

jon lynch | Gainesville, FL | 02/01/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This album isn't bad by any means; the selection of music is nice, and everyone plays relatively well. However, its just one of those recordings that doesn't really click, and Rollins's sqeaky reed doesn't help much. I would rather have Jackie McClean playing on more of the tracks than he does; he is an outstanding alto saxist. Anyway, the album is ok, but not that great."

Digging the New Davis Sound

Mr. Richard D. Coreno | Berea, Ohio USA | 03/14/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The album was initially released in a 10-inch format in 1951 - with Dig, It's Only a Paper Moon, Denial, Bluing, Out of the Blue - and then issued in 1956 as a 12-inch "album" with the addition of My Old Flame and Conception.



Miles has walked away from "cool jazz" and is exploring new avenues of sound with saxophonists Jackie McLean and Sonny Rollins, pianist Walter Bishop, Jr., drummer Art Blakey and Charles Mingus and Tommy Potter on contrabass.



The soundscapes are works in progress - with McLean delivering the goods - and are an interesting chronicle of Miles expanding his artistry when he could have easily remained on familiar terrain."